Engure, Latvia

Engure river, 28 km long, does not surprise with rocks, rapids and monumental landscapes. It is a cosy river in Kurzeme (Courland) which connects Usma lake with Puze lake.
It attracts paddlers with its peaceful flow, untouched nature and the opportunity to reach the sea by paddling further through Puze lake, Rinda and Irbe rivers
The route starts from the bridge at Zaļais ciems or from the nearby camping site “Ozoldangas”.
After the first picturesque 3,5 km the Ugāle Mill appears. It is easiest to stop at the left bank of the dam right by the bridge, carry the canoes over and slip back into Engure from its right bank. Ugāle Mill is worth it to go around and to appreciate the skill of its builders. The building ensemble itself is at a sorry state, however, has not lost its charm.
Behind the mill the river curves through a deciduous tree forest, every now and then a house has crouched on the bank. 3.6 km further Engure arches under the bridge of Riga-Venstpils highway and soon it continues its flux through a wide and swampy meadow. The rail bridge disturbs to sink completely into enjoying the untouched nature. At that point the first 10 km have been paddled. Behind the rail bridge an unpleasant obstacle – over the river, hidden in a metal pipe, communication cables spread. At conditions of increased water level the pipe is just in the way of canoes.
800 m further the next concrete bridge crosses the river; also a fine resting and fire place is located here. Past the bridge the civilisation does not cease – farms follow each other and the . river begins to flow through virgin nature, at times magnificent trees are hanging over its basin, but the banks are thickly covered in valerian and meadowsweet. The next landmark is the Ciesengure bridge at 15 km from the beginning of the route. Usually single-day paddling trip ends here, but for a two day paddling trip seek the camp site between the Kalnenieki bridge and Ciesengure .
The next 9,3 km till the end of the route shortly before the Puze lake is the wildest and most beautiful section of Engure. The river continuously twines through virgin meadows, at its banks black alders have grown, but the outer edges of the broad curves touch the too closely approached pine forest here and there. The end of the route is behind the bridge; at the left side of the bank a resting area for paddlers is set.
Boats hire operators:
Abavas brīvdienas (Canoe/Kayaks) (+371) 26825352 gints@laivo.lv
Abavas laivas (SUP/Canoe/Kayaks/Rafts) (+371) 29286489 info@abavaslaivas.lv
Campo (Inflatable/Canoe/Kayaks/SeaKayaks) (+371) 29404049 campo@laivas.lv
Daba Laba (Canoe) (+371) 26826839 info@dabalaba.lv
Jūras laivas (SOT/Canoe/Kayaks/SeaKayaks) (+371) 29464901 avoti@juraslaivas.lv
Kanoecentrs (SUP/Canoe/Kayaks/SeaKayaks) (+371) 26116933 info@kanoecentrs.lv
Kurzemeslaivas (Canoe) (+371) 29985244 info@kurzemeslaivas.lv
Mučas (+371) 26132961 info@laivunoma.com
Niknās laivas (Rowing/Kayaks) (+371) 26464294 info@niknaslaivas.lv
Rindas skola (Canoe) (+371) 29365455 laine1967@inbox.lv
Sofijas laivas (canoe/rafts/kayaks) (+371) 29339677 info@sofijaslaivas.lv